Saturday, November 27, 2010

Tennessee Volunteers Making a Statement Early

The Tennessee Volunteers (No. 24 AP, ESPN/USA Today No. 24) had to make an early statement that it wasn't affected by the Bruce Pearl suspension, nor allegations, and so far they have succeeded in doing just that.

After falling to a Division II Indianapolis, Bruce Pearl has his Volunteers (5-0) with a top-10 defeat under their belt.

Tennessee's junior guard Scotty Hopson has paced the Volunteers with 15.8 points per outing, while chipping in 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assist as well.

Freshman Tobias Harris has also ended up in the scoring column with 15.8 points, but also adds 5.8 rebounds per game.

More impressively, junior Cameron Tatum is averaging double-figure scoring for the first time in his career averaging 12.6 points a game, while adding 4.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assist.

The Volunteers have been very tenacious on the glass pulling down 43 per game, while dishing out 14 assist as well.

This is the opposite of what many fans expected from Tennessee. After watching them fall to a Division II school by double-figures, to seeing their coach be suspended, and watching NCAA violations, and allegations pile up. Many would suppose that the Vols' would be distracted, maybe, just even a little bit.

However, that seems to be the fuel that drives the Vols', or maybe the opposing fans that continue to chant 'cheaters never win' every time Tennessee takes the court.

In all, the Vols' are at a flawless record with five wins. They have been able to hurdle adversity and focus on basketball. With the two-prone attack of Hopson, and Harris, the Vols' could continue to impress early.